The Steelers head into their bye week alone atop the AFC North after a 27-6 win over Cleveland. Pittsburgh controlled the line of scrimmage, ran effectively and overwhelmed the Browns’ offense, answering a loss to Cleveland earlier this season.

By the Numbers
  • Steelers: 6-2; Browns: 5-3.
  • Jaylen Warren has four 100-yard games and 848 yards from scrimmage since Week 3.
  • Pittsburgh recorded a season-high 8 sacks; T.J. Watt has 7.5 this season and 19.5 career sacks against Cleveland.
  • The Steelers held the Browns to 0-for-3 in the red zone and 0-for-2 in goal-to-go situations.
  • Cleveland has lost 23 straight regular-season road games in Pittsburgh and has not swept the Steelers since 1988.
Yes, But

Despite the lopsided score, Deshaun Watson threw for 324 yards and a 94.4 passer rating. Pittsburgh coach Mike McCarthy also said the Steelers left points on the field and still have areas to improve.

State of Play
  • Pittsburgh has won four straight, powered by a stronger running game and a defense averaging 55 rushing yards allowed per game in recent weeks.
  • The Steelers have allowed just 1 second-half touchdown all season.
  • The bye arrives with Pittsburgh leading the division at 6-2.
What's Next

After the bye, Pittsburgh faces a nine-game stretch with five road games and five opponents that made the 2025 playoffs. Sustaining its line-of-scrimmage dominance will be a major test.

Bottom Line

The win was more than payback: it showed Pittsburgh can impose its identity on both sides of the ball. The Steelers have built momentum, but the tougher part of the schedule is still ahead.